For the second time, a Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from holding its 2025 National Convention scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State between November 15 and 16.
The court also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from supervising, monitoring or recognizing the outcome of the National Convention where national officers are expected to be elected.
Justice Peter Odo Lifu, on Tuesday, issued the fresh order while delivering a ruling in an application brought by a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido.
Lamido, a foundation member of PDP, had dragged the party before the court complaining that he was denied the opportunity to buy a chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.
The judge predicated the restriction order against PDP on the grounds that the party refused, neglected and failed to comply with relevant conditions and laws for the conduct of such conventions.
Lifu held that evidence from Lamido showed that the timetable for the convention was not published for the attention of its members as required by law.
He also held that the balance of convenience tilted towards Lamido because he would suffer more if allowed to be unlawfully excluded from the planned convention.
To make a remedy, the judge said that the former governor had undertaken to pay damages to PDP in the event that his suit was found to be frivolous.
According to the Judge, in a constitutional, due process of law must be strictly followed by those in charge adding that to do otherwise, will endanger democracy itself.
He also said that in line with section 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the court of law must not abdicate its role of dispensing justice without fear or favour.
Justice Lifu held that anarchy would be the order of the day anything, any day and anywhere the court of record abdicated its constitution assigned functions.
In his final pronouncement, the judge restrained PDP from proceeding with the convention billed for November 15 and 16 or any other date in Ibadan or any other place.
He also stopped INEC from supervising, monitoring or recognising the outcome of any convention that was organised by PDP.
It will be recalled that another judge of the same court, Omotosho had on October 31 issued similar orders stopping INEC from supervising or recognising the outcome of the convention if conducted.
His ground was predicated on the fact that due process was not followed in the way the convention was being planned.
Besides, Omotosho held that the PDP failed to issue the mandatory 21 days notice of meetings and congresses to enable INEC carry out its mandatory duty of monitoring such meetings and congresses.
Omotosho held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy, and subsequently advised the PDP to do the necessary before going ahead with the election.
He, therefore, restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the convention slated for Ibadan, until the law has been complied with.